The debating competition was conceived by Rotarian Ian Murphy of the Rotary Club of Corryong. It serves to provide a platform for students in Year 11 to develop debating skills and compete against other schools throughout District 9790.
It is open to all schools within the district and is organised as a knock out competition culminating in a final at the District 9790 Conference at the end of March each year. Each round takes place at the normal dinner meeting of the Rotary club.
Each Rotary Club organises a local knock out competition so that all local schools may have an opportunity of entering the competition and, at the same time, gain useful experience. The club awards trophies for the successful team and team members and for the runner up.
The first round takes place early in the Rotary year and is usually between two relatively local teams but as the competition progresses some travel is required to meet the opposing team. A representative of the Rotary Club will travel with the team to the "away" venues.
The debating subject is set by the District chairman and the judges are chosen for their skill and experience in this area. The sponsoring Rotary club will provide transport to the remote venues and contestants and school staff are the guests of the club for these occasions.
Each debate is run according to a "Manual of Procedures" in order to achieve uniformity of treatment throughout the District. Judges are provided with a set of criteria against which each team is judged. Adjudicators are sought with the least possible connection to either of the schools or Rotary clubs who are involved in the current stage of the debate.
| Bill Whitehead Chairperson Ian Murphy Memorial Debate (02) 6076 0536 email: debate@rotary9790.org.au |
